Historian Mark Atwood Lawrence named sixth director of the LBJ Presidential Library

The archivist of the United States has named University of Texas history professor Mark Atwood Lawrence as the next director of the LBJ Presidential Library.

Lawrence, a prominent scholar of President Lyndon Baines Johnson and the Vietnam War, will assume the high-profile role on Jan. 5. He becomes only the sixth director since the library and museum opened in 1971.

Lawrence’s appointment comes not long after the short tenure of historian Kyle Longley, who lasted only seven months on the job. Neither the National Archives nor Longley commented on his ouster earlier this year.

Longley’s predecessor as director, Mark K. Updegrove, is now president and CEO of the LBJ Foundation, which supports the library as well as the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Updegrove has taught an undergraduate class, “The Johnson Years,” alongside Lawrence.

“I can speak firsthand to Mark’s superlative ability to connect with students and his vast knowledge of President Johnson and the times during which he served in the White House,” Updegrove said. “Mark will be the ideal leader of the LBJ Presidential Library as its next director.”

Related:As presidential library director, Mark Updegrove elevated LBJ’s legacy

Lawrence, author of “Assuming the Burden: Europe and the American Commitment to War in Vietnam,” among other publications, is also director of graduate studies at UT’s Clements Center for National Security.

“I can think of no one more fitting than Lawrence to head the library and museum of the ‘Education President’ than one who has spent a career using primary source materials to educate students and scholars,” U.S. Archivist David S. Ferriero said in a statement. “With his extensive knowledge of the 1960s, proven scholarship and experience in museum design and planning, Lawrence is uniquely qualified to lead this library and museum.”

At the library’s Vietnam War Summit in April 2016, Lawrence led a discussion about “Lessons Learned” from the Vietnam War with three distinguished military veterans: Adm. William McRaven and former U.S. Sens. Bob Kerrey and Charles Robb.

Related: The Vietnam War split Austin wide open

Originally from Fall River, Mass., Lawrence grew up in nearby Westport. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Stanford University in 1988 and his doctorate in history from Yale University in 1998. He lives in Austin with his wife, Stephanie Osbakken, who is an assistant professor of instruction in UT’s health and society program. They have two daughters, Maya, 8, and Bryn, 7.

“I’m thrilled by the opportunity to lead the LBJ Presidential Library,” Lawrence said, “a unique treasure for the Austin community and the nation as a whole. More than half a century has passed since LBJ left office, but his presidency remains extraordinarily relevant. I look forward above all to helping younger generations appreciate the importance of the 1960s and legacies that reverberate today.”

Chester Newland, 1968-1970

Harry Middleton, 1970-2002

Betty Sue Flowers, 2002-2009

Mark K. Updegrove, 2009–2017

Kyle Longley, 2018-2019

Previous LBJ Presidential Library directors